Camorra: Three tobacco shops seized in the Caserta area, generating millions in profits for the clans.

CAserta – A new blow to the Camorra's illicit assets in the Caserta area. Carabinieri from the Caserta Provincial Command, acting on orders from the District Anti-Mafia Directorate, have carried out a major preventive seizure of three tobacco shops, with a total estimated value of approximately one million euros.

The measure concerns seven suspects, including a man already convicted in the first and second instance for external complicity in mafia association, believed to be close to the Amato clan, active in Santa Maria Capua Vetere and federated with the Casalesi clan.

Tobacco shops as a source of money laundering and profit for the Camorra

The investigation, conducted by the Carabinieri of the Santa Maria Capua Vetere company and the Caserta Investigative Unit, covered the period between January 2021 and December 2022.

According to the investigators, the main suspect would have fictitiously registered the commercial activities in the name of front man, in an attempt to avoid seizures or asset prevention measures. In fact, however, he continued to manage them and collect the profits, a portion of which would be allocated to the coffers of the Camorra clans.

Slot machine monopoly and territorial control

The investigation also revealed another criminal interest: the man allegedly procured slot machines for the clan to install under a monopoly regime in various commercial establishments in Santa Maria Capua Vetere.

This activity, according to investigators and confirmed in previous court rulings, would have generated huge profits, which flowed into the economic circuits of organized crime, fueling a system of power and territorial control.

The crimes contested and the territories involved

The seizure order was executed in the municipalities of Santa Maria Capua Vetere and Bellona. The suspects are charged, on various counts, with the crime of fraudulent transfer of assets, a typical practice used to evade anti-mafia controls and ensure the economic continuity of undercover criminal activities.

Investigations continue to ascertain further responsibilities and reconstruct the clans' money laundering and financing channels.